A look at 10 Ottawa Senators eligible for UFA status soon

TO BE CONSIDERED: Whether or not there was more than a “disagreement on an injury” that kept Methot out of the lineup for a few games, No. 3 should not be allowed anywhere near the door. He’s a strong shut down guy who can chip in with a little offence and he’s from Ottawa. You don’t move good players who are good guys from their hometown unless there’s a very good reason.

THE SOLUTION: In order here would figure to be something in the four year,
$15 million range.

USA Today Sports

MILAN MICHALEK

CAP HIT: $4.33 million

AGE: 29

2013-14 STATS: 59 GP, 10 G, 15 A, 25 PTS, 22 PIMs, minus-22

TO BE CONSIDERED: Good team guy, plays in all situations, still has something to offer …. but just doesn’t have the same jump any more. And certain not enough to warrant the hefty price tag. The former 35-goal scorer is on pace for 13, and a minus-30.

THE SOLUTION: If he’d take a significant pay cut, Michalek could be a decent third liner. But surely he’s been told some team will take a chance on him with Top 6 money. If Murray can find another GM to take him, he needs to thank him for all he’s done and jump at the chance to get some sort of asset back before the deadline. If not, say good-bye in the summer.

QMI Agency

CRAIG ANDERSON

CAP HIT: $3.18 million

AGE: 32

2013-14 STATS: 19-12-8 W-L-OT, .908 save percentage, 3.09 GAA, 3 SO

TO BE CONSIDERED: Among the top half of the goalies in the NHL, Anderson should be in line for what will likely be the most lucrative contract of his career. However, it’s hard to imagine it will be signed in Ottawa. Robin Lehner is already capable of being the main man, and on their way to the pro ranks are three goalies – second rounders Chris Driedger and Marcus Hogberg, and sixth rounder Francois Brassard.

THE SOLUTION: Trading Anderson this summer, and picking up a veteran to serve as Lehner’s backup, would seem to be the logical move. Murray should be able to score a nice return on the second winningest goalie in franchise history, who will still have one more season left at a cap friendly rate. He’ll also free up money needed to keep players at positions where the Senators aren’t as deep.

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agen

BOBBY RYAN

CAP HIT: $5.1 million

AGE: 26

2013-14 STATS: 59 GP, 21 G, 22 A, 43 PTS, 24 PIMs, plus-9

TO BE CONSIDERED: Remember how much the Senators gave up to acquire Ryan – second round pick Jakob Silfverberg, first round pick Stefan Noesen and a future first rounder. They have to lock him up or get something comparable back in a trade. Ryan’s adjustment to the Eastern Conference has not been without its hiccups, but he remains one of the most gifted snipers in the league and needs to be given the chances, with the appropriate centre and ice time, to show it.

THE SOLUTION: The Senators don’t want to release this young, elite goal scorer and miss out on the 190 goals he’ll score over the next half decade. He likes it here and he’s a good fit. He’d probably be happy with $30 mil over five if he liked the direction the team was going.

USA Today Sports

JOE CORVO

CAP HIT: $900,000

AGE: 36

2013-14 STATS: 25 GP, 3 G, 7 A, 10 PTS, 10 PIMs, minus-7

TO BE CONSIDERED: The Second Coming Of started out fine as Corvo, brought in to be an insurance policy and possible power play contributor, suited up on a semi-regular basis. But somewhere along the line, the coaching staff lost trust. He has been a healthy scratch 33 times, and 14 of the last 18 games, his future sealed with the emergence of Cody Ceci.

THE SOLUTION: Corvo would already be gone if the Senators could get something for him. He’ll be walking in the summer.

QMI Agency

JASON SPEZZA

CAP HIT: $7 million

AGE: 30

2013-14 STATS: 54 GP, 15 G, 30 A, 45 PTS, 34 PIMs, minus-23

TO BE CONSIDERED: The rest of this season should determine if the Senators and their captain are headed for a divorce or they will live happily ever after. Make the trade (or play him with Ryan) to get him the scoring winger required, and it will be determined how much he has slipped. Expect it to be very little, if any at all.

THE SOLUTION: If he’s healthy (and no team knows better than the Senators) they would be wise to keep him. Otherwise, you could be spending the next decade looking for a big talented centre. Just ask the Leafs how fun that is. With a permanent running mate and a clean bill, Spezza should once again be better than a point-a-game guy. The tough decision will be how many years to give him on a new deal.
We’ll let Murray figure that one out. We can’t do all his work for him.

Darren Brown/Ottawa Sun/QMI Agency

MATT KASSIAN

CAP HIT: $575,000

AGE: 27

2013-14 STATS: 26 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PT, 32 PIMs, minus-1

TO BE CONSIDERED: A true heavy-weight and a good guy to have for games against rivals who have one of the same. Adequately plays his position and is rarely the reason for goals against. But it would be nice to get some sort of production out of a player with his stature – or even have an enforcer the coaches feel comfortable enough to use every night. Fact is guys who can play the role and play the game are few and far between.

THE SOLUTION: Kassian seems to be a good fit in the Senators room. If he will take a one year deal with a minimal raise, he’s worth keeping. If he’s looking for more cash or term, Murray should cut him free and go hunting for another big boy.

QMI Agency

CLARKE MACARTHUR

CAP HIT: $3.25 million

AGE: 28

2013-14 STATS: 58 GP, 18 G, 24 A, 42 PTS, 62 PIMS, plus-9

TO BE CONSIDERED: Tabbed the most consistent player on the team thus far this season by everyone in the organization you ask, all MacArthur has yet to prove is that he can maintain the level down the stretch drive and into the playoffs. Regardless, Murray liked this guy when he was a Senators opponent and he’s not about to let him slip away now.

THE SOLUTION: Players feel a loyalty to teams that give them a chance at redemption. Not knowing what the future holds, a three-year deal in the $12 million range should keep both sides happy.

USA Today Sports

CHRIS PHILLIPS

CAP HIT: $3.08 million

AGE: 35

2013-14 STATS: 49 GP, 1 G, 12 A, 13 PTS, 20 PIMs, minus-6

TO BE CONSIDERED: Big Rig would like to finish his career where it all began, but Murray can now trade him to any team but the 10 Phillips deems undesirable. The questions: A) how can he deal his most experienced regular blue liner and one of the best back end defenders on the team and B) can he risk losing another all-time Senator the way Daniel Alfredsson departed last July?
Minus Phillips, the Senators could go into the playoffs with a list of seven D that includes a guy who has been a healthy scratch more often than not, a 20-year old rookie and two-second year pros that have had their ups and downs. Obviously, that’s not ideal. Then there’s the undisputable that Phillips plays his best hockey of the season at playoff time.

THE SOLUTION: A leader on a young team and young blue line, Phillips should be kept around for a couple more years, with a salary in the range of what he currently makes. Insult him with a low ball, and risk another Alfredsson fiasco.

QMI Agency

ERIK CONDRA

CAP HIT: $1.25 million

AGE: 27

2013-14 STATS: 53 GP, 5 G, 7 A, 12 PTS, 22 PIMs, plus-1

TO BE CONSIDERED: Condra remains a good skater, strong penalty killer, fearless shot blocker and smart player who can fill in on any line. What he is not is a goal scorer, but what he should not be is a problem to re-sign.

THE SOLUTION: Better than a “poor man’s” Chris Kelly, who makes $3.5 million from the Bruins and who was a favourite of Murray’s when he was in Ottawa. Locking Condra up for another two years at $2.5 per or three years at a $2 million salary seems to be fair.

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The Senators have some difficult in-house decisions to make during the lead-up to the Mar. 5 trade deadline and, quite likely, in the four months that follow.

But it will all be just a warm-up skate to the big game facing them from this summer to next.

In the following 17 months GM Bryan Murray and staff must figure out the course to take with 10 players eligible for unrestricted free agency.

Up first with contracts that expire July 1 are Chris Phillips, Milan Michalek, Matt Kassian and Joe Corvo. Vegas would have the over/under on how many from that group will be back at 1.5, although all bets would be off if the Senators knew they weren't going to make the playoffs this spring.

The speculating gets trickier when it comes to the six who are currently free to fly one year to the day later: Craig Anderson, Marc Methot, Erik Condra, Clarke MacArthur, Bobby Ryan and Jason Spezza.

Murray can talk behind closed doors with them beforehand, but any announcement on contract extensions for someone from that half dozen can not be made until after this July 1.

The closer a guy gets to his UFA date, the greater the chance he's not staying.

A lot can happen to influence Murray's path with the (potentially) graduating class of '15. Their performance in the final 23 games this season, and any playoff dates there might be on the horizon, could sway the bosses' mind one way or the other.

And, especially if there is team failure, almost anybody could be moved for the opportunity to acquire a big, young first line centre, a speedy, physical sniper, another young top level goalie and defenceman "¦.. or the No. 1 pick in the 2015 draft, also known as The Connor McDavid Sweepstakes.

Today, though, all decisions must be weighed against the fact that the Senators are still very much in the playoff spot race and while Boston and Pittsburgh are a cut above the rest, the Eastern Conference is up for grabs this season if either team stumbles.

The following is an educated (if not calculated with a fluctuating salary cap and the owner's budget plan - neither of which anybody really knows) guess on what Murray might be thinking.

POTENTIAL JULY 1, 2014 UFAs

CHRIS PHILLIPS

CAP HIT: $3.08 million

AGE: 35

2013-14 STATS: 49 GP, 1 G, 12 A, 13 PTS, 20 PIMs, minus-6

TO BE CONSIDERED: Big Rig would like to finish his career where it all began, but Murray can now trade him to any team but the 10 Phillips deems undesirable. The questions: A) how can he deal his most experienced regular blue liner and one of the best back end defenders on the team and B) can he risk losing another all-time Senator the way Daniel Alfredsson departed last July?

Minus Phillips, the Senators could go into the playoffs with a list of seven D that includes a guy who has been a healthy scratch more often than not, a 20-year old rookie and two-second year pros that have had their ups and downs. Obviously, that's not ideal. Then there's the undisputable that Phillips plays his best hockey of the season at playoff time.

THE SOLUTION: A leader on a young team and young blue line, Phillips should be kept around for a couple more years, with a salary in the range of what he currently makes. Insult him with a low ball, and risk another Alfredsson fiasco.

MILAN MICHALEK

CAP HIT: $4.33 million

AGE: 29

2013-14 STATS: 59 GP, 10 G, 15 A, 25 PTS, 22 PIMs, minus-22

TO BE CONSIDERED: Good team guy, plays in all situations, still has something to offer "¦. but just doesn't have the same jump any more. And certain not enough to warrant the hefty price tag. The former 35-goal scorer is on pace for 13, and a minus-30.

THE SOLUTION: If he'd take a significant pay cut, Michalek could be a decent third liner. But surely he's been told some team will take a chance on him with Top 6 money. If Murray can find another GM to take him, he needs to thank him for all he's done and jump at the chance to get some sort of asset back before the deadline. If not, say good-bye in the summer.

MATT KASSIAN

CAP HIT: $575,000

AGE: 27

2013-14 STATS: 26 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PT, 32 PIMs, minus-1

TO BE CONSIDERED: A true heavy-weight and a good guy to have for games against rivals who have one of the same. Adequately plays his position and is rarely the reason for goals against. But it would be nice to get some sort of production out of a player with his stature - or even have an enforcer the coaches feel comfortable enough to use every night. Fact is guys who can play the role and play the game are few and far between.

THE SOLUTION: Kassian seems to be a good fit in the Senators room. If he will take a one year deal with a minimal raise, he's worth keeping. If he's looking for more cash or term, Murray should cut him free and go hunting for another big boy.

JOE CORVO

CAP HIT: $900,000

AGE: 36

2013-14 STATS: 25 GP, 3 G, 7 A, 10 PTS, 10 PIMs, minus-7

TO BE CONSIDERED: The Second Coming Of started out fine as Corvo, brought in to be an insurance policy and possible power play contributor, suited up on a semi-regular basis. But somewhere along the line, the coaching staff lost trust. He has been a healthy scratch 33 times, and 14 of the last 18 games, his future sealed with the emergence of Cody Ceci.

THE SOLUTION: Corvo would already be gone if the Senators could get something for him. He'll be walking in the summer.

POTENTIAL JULY 1, 2015 UFAs

CRAIG ANDERSON

CAP HIT: $3.18 million

AGE: 32

2013-14 STATS: 19-12-8 W-L-OT, .908 save percentage, 3.09 GAA, 3 SO

TO BE CONSIDERED: Among the top half of the goalies in the NHL, Anderson should be in line for what will likely be the most lucrative contract of his career. However, it's hard to imagine it will be signed in Ottawa. Robin Lehner is already capable of being the main man, and on their way to the pro ranks are three goalies - second rounders Chris Driedger and Marcus Hogberg, and sixth rounder Francois Brassard.

THE SOLUTION: Trading Anderson this summer, and picking up a veteran to serve as Lehner's backup, would seem to be the logical move. Murray should be able to score a nice return on the second winningest goalie in franchise history, who will still have one more season left at a cap friendly rate. He'll also free up money needed to keep players at positions where the Senators aren't as deep.

MARC METHOT

CAP HIT: $3 million

AGE: 28

2013-14 STATS: 52 GP, 5 G, 12 A, 17 PTS, 22 PIMs, plus-2

TO BE CONSIDERED: Whether or not there was more than a "disagreement on an injury" that kept Methot out of the lineup for a few games, No. 3 should not be allowed anywhere near the door. He's a strong shut down guy who can chip in with a little offence and he's from Ottawa. You don't move good players who are good guys from their hometown unless there's a very good reason.

THE SOLUTION: In order here would figure to be something in the four year, $15 million range.

ERIK CONDRA

CAP HIT: $1.25 million

AGE: 27

2013-14 STATS: 53 GP, 5 G, 7 A, 12 PTS, 22 PIMs, plus-1

TO BE CONSIDERED: Condra remains a good skater, strong penalty killer, fearless shot blocker and smart player who can fill in on any line. What he is not is a goal scorer, but what he should not be is a problem to re-sign.

THE SOLUTION: Better than a "poor man's" Chris Kelly, who makes $3.5 million from the Bruins and who was a favourite of Murray's when he was in Ottawa. Locking Condra up for another two years at $2.5 per or three years at a $2 million salary seems to be fair.

CLARKE MACARTHUR

CAP HIT: $3.25 million

AGE: 28

2013-14 STATS: 58 GP, 18 G, 24 A, 42 PTS, 62 PIMS, plus-9

TO BE CONSIDERED: Tabbed the most consistent player on the team thus far this season by everyone in the organization you ask, all MacArthur has yet to prove is that he can maintain the level down the stretch drive and into the playoffs. Regardless, Murray liked this guy when he was a Senators opponent and he's not about to let him slip away now.

THE SOLUTION: Players feel a loyalty to teams that give them a chance at redemption. Not knowing what the future holds, a three-year deal in the $12 million range should keep both sides happy.

BOBBY RYAN

CAP HIT: $5.1 million

AGE: 26

2013-14 STATS: 59 GP, 21 G, 22 A, 43 PTS, 24 PIMs, plus-9

TO BE CONSIDERED: Remember how much the Senators gave up to acquire Ryan - second round pick Jakob Silfverberg, first round pick Stefan Noesen and a future first rounder. They have to lock him up or get something comparable back in a trade. Ryan's adjustment to the Eastern Conference has not been without its hiccups, but he remains one of the most gifted snipers in the league and needs to be given the chances, with the appropriate centre and ice time, to show it.

THE SOLUTION: The Senators don't want to release this young, elite goal scorer and miss out on the 190 goals he'll score over the next half decade. He likes it here and he's a good fit. He'd probably be happy with $30 mil over five if he liked the direction the team was going.

JASON SPEZZA

CAP HIT: $7 million

AGE: 30

2013-14 STATS: 54 GP, 15 G, 30 A, 45 PTS, 34 PIMs, minus-23

TO BE CONSIDERED: The rest of this season should determine if the Senators and their captain are headed for a divorce or they will live happily ever after. Make the trade (or play him with Ryan) to get him the scoring winger required, and it will be determined how much he has slipped. Expect it to be very little, if any at all.

THE SOLUTION: If he's healthy (and no team knows better than the Senators) they would be wise to keep him. Otherwise, you could be spending the next decade looking for a big talented centre. Just ask the Leafs how fun that is. With a permanent running mate and a clean bill, Spezza should once again be better than a point-a-game guy. The tough decision will be how many years to give him on a new deal.

We'll let Murray figure that one out. We can't do all his work for him.